<p><b><i></i></b>Man Sentenced to Ten Years Eight Months Prison for Beating Girlfriend</p><p> </p>

Defendant Sean Miller, 36 years-old of Rohnert Park, was sentenced November 24, 2021 by the Honorable Robert LaForge to ten years eight months in state prison after pleading no contest to charges of felony infliction of corporal injuries resulting in a traumatic condition on his girlfriend, dissuading a witness by force or threat, and resisting an executive officer. Additionally, he admitted to having one prior domestic violence related conviction within the last seven years and one prior conviction of a serious and/or violent felony. 

District Attorney Ravitch credited the victim for her strength in reporting the violence, and following through by testifying against the defendant. “Her willingness to participate in the prosecution of this violent offender resulted in a substantial sentence. This outcome may also encourage other victims of domestic violence to report their abuse.”

On May 16, 2021, at approximately 7:55 PM, officers were dispatched to the Old Navy area of Coddingtown Mall to investigate a domestic disturbance. When officers arrived, they contacted Jane Doe, who reported extensive physical and mental abuse by Miller. Jane Doe reported that, over the course of three weeks, Miller struck and kicked her in the face, cut her face with a box cutter, threatened to kill her in front of her children, and to commit ‘suicide by cop’ after he killed Doe. When speaking with law enforcement, Jane Doe was terrified that Miller would harm her again and ultimately kill her. When officers responded to Miller’s apartment building and attempted to contact him, the defendant barricaded the door. Officers contacted Miller by phone and spent three hours trying to get him to surrender, to no avail. At one point, officers observed Miller through a window, holding a knife to his throat and threatening to kill himself. The defendant was ultimately arrested, and began calling Jane Doe from jail, asking her to recant her statements detailing the abuse to law enforcement. 

During a preliminary hearing examination on his domestic violence case, the defendant became verbally abusive towards Jane Doe while she testified, became physically combative with court bailiffs and ultimately struck one bailiff in the face. 

The defendant was on parole at the time he committed these offenses. Additionally, Miller had previously suffered a prior domestic violence related conviction with a different victim. 

The case was prosecuted by DDA Alex Fisher of the District Attorney’s Office, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Edward Crosby, and District Attorney Victim Advocate Gina Raith. Santa Rosa Police Department headed the investigation.